Portuguese authorities kept Rui Pinto in the dark for almost three months about their decision to end his status as a protected witness and notified the Manchester City whistleblower 10 days before it was due to expire, it can be revealed. According to documents seen by the Guardian, the special security programmes commission (CPES), which oversees Portugal’s witness protection programme, met on 8 and 9 July to discuss Pinto’s case. It concluded that the threat level against him was low and that the special protection measures were no longer warranted.
Yet it was not until 30 September that Pinto, who has been a protected witness since 2020 after agreeing to grant Portuguese authorities access to millions of files gathered before his arrest, was informed of the decision – 83 days after it had been made. With 10 days’ notice, Pinto was left with little time to address a number of immediate issues. He needs to find somewhere safe to live and establish a way of supporting himself in a new location, while avoiding contact with family members.
The Guardian contacted the CPES on two occasions seeking details of the criteria and evidence used to determine that Pinto’s protection should be withdrawn. On Wednesday, the commission was also asked to explain the 83-day gap between its decision and the notification. None of the inquiries received a response.
On 30 September, the day Pinto was informed his protected-witness status was coming to an end, the Premier League’s guilty verdict against City, which had been confirmed 24 hours earlier, was dominating headlines around the world. The authorities stood by the decision reached nearly three months earlier despite protestations from Pinto and his lawyers that he fears for his life. Pinto entered Portugal’s protection programme after cooperating with the country’s justice authorities.
His revelations have subsequently been used by judicial, tax and sporting authorities across Europe, including the Premier League’s investigation into City’s alleged financial irregularities. Pinto’s lawyers argue that the authorities should take into account his cooperation with the justice system and the continuing risks associated with his disclosures before ending his protection. Mounting pressure appears to have prompted a rethink.
Last Saturday Portugal’s justice minister, Rita Alarcão Júdice, was questioned by journalists about the decision. She said the authorities would review Pinto’s case and promised to respond by Saturday, the date on which his protection is due to end. He handed over millions of documents to investigators in France, which can now be shared with other nations – including the UK – under international cooperation and bilateral ties.
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